Billy Timmins
Question:45 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Ireland's major objectives in our relations with Asian countries. [12848/00]
Written Answers. - Ireland-Asia Relations.
The Government is committed to a proactive policy designed to develop Ireland's political and economic relations with Asia. The essential components of this policy are set out in the Government's Asia strategy, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
The economic importance of Asia means that in the long-term Ireland cannot afford to ignore opportunities arising in Asian markets from either a trade, investment or national competitiveness point of view.
The Government is of the view that Asia has an important contribution to make to Ireland's foreign earnings interests in four key areas: as a source of sustainable, high quality employment; as a means of diversifying the sources of such employment; as a means of allowing for the diversification of trade so that we stay close to expanding markets and avoid declining markets; and as a source for the promotion of domestic wealth generation and innovation.
The Government's Asia strategy has two principal objectives, namely, to improve political and business contacts in the region and to raise aware ness of Ireland both as an investment location and as a source of high quality goods and services.
A committee comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors has been established to oversee the implementation of the Asia strategy. The role of this committee is to develop a comprehensive economic approach for the region and to ensure that goals common to political, trade, enterprise and foreign direct investment objectives are identified and addressed in a systematic way in each of the main markets.
The Government has also increased the level of Ireland's representation in the Asia Pacific region by the establishment of an Ireland House in Singapore, Shanghai and Sydney.